Thursday, November 22, 2018

From the Mindanao Times (Nov 21): Ex-10th ID chief to assume CenCom post in Cebu City

Maj. Gen. Noel Clement, the outgoing commander of the 10th Infantry Division, will assume today as the new chief of the Central Command (CentCom) based in Camp Lapu-Lapu in Cebu City.

Clement assumed his post as the division commander last May 31, 2017.

“There is no schedule yet for the change of command ceremony,” he told TIMES.

Clement said Brig. Gen. Mario Lacurom, the assistant division commander, will be the acting division commander until somebody will be appointed to replace him.

In his message, Clement said that during his stint as the 10th ID commander, they have “significantly degraded enemy’s capability and support structure.”

“All can be attributed to the excellent working relationship between 10th ID units, local government unit, stakeholders and people in the area of responsibility,” he said.

In a recent report, the New People’s Army (NPA) Guerrilla fronts in the 10th ID's area of operation has downgraded from 11 to four fronts. For now, he said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) board of Generals is deliberating on who will be the next 10th ID commander.

However, contenders for the next division commander are most likely brigade commanders of the 4th and 10th ID under the Eastern Mindanao Command and other military officials previously assigned in the Davao region.

Clement said the contenders are Brig. Gen. Reuben Basiao, the former commander of 701st Infantry Brigade based in BarangayDon Marundan, Mati City; Brig. Gen. Roberto Ancan, the commander of 1002nd IB based in Malungon, Sarangani; Brig Gen. Nemesio Gacal, the commander of the 402nd IB based in Butuan City; and Brig. Gen. Andres Centino , the commander of 401st IB based in Agusan del Sur.

Also a contender is Maj. Gen. Bienvenido Datuin Jr., the commander of the AFP’s Civil Relations Service based in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. He was also the previous commander of 701st Infantry Brigade from 2015 to 2016.

From the Mindanao Times (Nov 21): Husband-and-wife NPA team surrenders to army

A husband and wife who are allegedly long-time members of the New People's Army brought along their two children when they surrendered to the 8th Infantry Battalion in Impasugong, Bukidnon on Nov. 18.

1Lt. Lorjohn Hernandez, the civil-military operations officer of 8th IB, said the former rebels were identified as alias Alay/Cans/Batcom, 28, a member of Section Committee 89 of the North Central Regional Mindanao Command (NCMRC), and his wife alias Peme, 26, a medic of the same command.

Hernandez said the couple used to be operating in the hinterlands of Cabanglasan, Bukidnon. They brought with them 3 M16 rifles and one long magazine with live bullets.

Hernandez quoted Alay as saying that they are already tired of running away and being cold and hungry always, especially since they have a six-year-old daughter and a four-month-old son to care for.

"We decided to return into the government bringing along three firearms which I consider as the instruments of violence used by the NPA in murdering innocent Lumads," he allegedly told the soldiers.

Lt. Col.Ronald Illana, the commanding officer of the 8IB, said, "We do understand that these people are just victims of deception, agitation and false promises inculcated by the NPA terrorists."

"With that in mind, we encourage them to surrender and see the efforts of the government to attain peace as it unfolds before them," Illana said.

Col. Edgardo del Leon, 403rd Infantry Brigade (403Bde) commander and co-chair of the Bukidnon Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) committee, assures that the units will assist the surrenderees to be reintegrated back to society the soonest possible time.

“Alay and Peme, you made the right decision. Your children are now assured of a better future now that you have rejected violence and embraced peace," De Leon said.

Maj. Gen. Ronald Villanueva, the commander of 4th Infantry Division, said a common thread they hear from former rebels is how rotten the system was as the leaders are taking advantage of the members.

"With their decision, they will be able to experience the joy of togetherness this Christmas season, the start of a life away from chaos, hunger, and fear of losing their lives in an encounter with the government troops who are continuously conducting security operations," Villanueva said.

Nineteen former rebels of the 71st Infantry Battalion received livelihood kits from the Department of Trade and Industry-Compostela Valley on Tuesday.

The turnover of livelihood starter kits to former rebels was held at the headquarters of the 71st IB, Purok 8, Barangay Nueva Visayas, Mawab, Compostela Valley.

1Lt. Jhocell Asis, the civil-military operations officer of the 71st IB, said the 19 rebels all came from Mawab, Maco, and Pantukan and they got assistance for goat and native chicken-raising, sari-sari stores, as well as vegetable and rice production.

Prior to the distribution of starter kits, Asis said the former rebels underwent livelihood training on their chosen project.

"As to many projects and programs for FRs (former rebels), there's no need to stay in the useless armed struggle so we urge other remaining members of the communist NPA terrorists (CNTs) to surrender," he added.

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 22): Army asks youths as active partners for peace, development in Ilocos

SANTOL, La Union - - Government troops of the army’s 702nd Infantry Brigade have asked the youths as their active partners for sustaining lasting peace and development in the countryside after a leadership training here.

Brigadier General Henry A Robinson Jr., commander of the army’s 702nd Infantry (DEFENDER) Brigade, said tone of the efficient strategies in advocating peace in the community is the inclusion of the youth sector in the campaign.

“The youths are our future leaders; they have a great role in our society; and they have strong voice when united, which can influence change in our community, our families including our elders,” said Robinson.

From Nov. 16 to 18, a total of 50 students, out of school youths ,and community youth leaders participated in the 3-day Regional Youth Leadership Summit (RYLS) held at the All Christian Pavillion and Retreat House in Santol town.

During the summit, the participants learned about the Youth Development Plan, project proposal crafting and the Communist CCP-NPA Terrorist (CNTs) strategy in recruiting the youth.

The participants, who hailed from the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union, Pangasinan, and Abra, also experienced the “boodle fight luncheon” to instill the spirit of camaraderie in advocating peace.

Meanwhile, Rolly Rolluda, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of La Union who represented the Guest of Honor and Speaker, Governor Emmanuel Ortega III, thanked the Philippine Army for spearheading the RYLS in collaboration with the local government units.

“The youth is one of the partners of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in fighting the CNTs and the violent extremist groups,” said Rolluda.

Rolluda cited the youths today have strong social media capability and skills that they can use as a platform to pursue and defend peace most especially that the AFP is appealing to all the residents in the countryside to be extra vigilant against the threats of extremism and suspicious people’s activities.

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 22): New assault craft ideal for anti-piracy missions off Sulu

Aside from deterring intruders off Philippine waters, the country's newest multi-purpose assault craft (MPAC) are also ideal for suppressing the pirate threat off the waters of Sulu, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Wednesday.

He added that with its high-speed and modern armament, the MPAC is well suited in neutralizing pirates and other threats infesting the same waters.

"I think the MPAC is ideal for Sulu (waters)," Lorenzana stressed.

MPACs are high speed naval craft capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots and can be utilized for a variety of naval missions like patrol and fire support missions for troops.

It can also be armed with machine guns, missiles and a variety of other weapons.

This was supported by Philippine Navy (PN) flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, who said that the MPAC's secondary weapon, the remote-controlled .50 caliber machine guns are ideal for anti-piracy missions.

"(The) .50 caliber (machine guns) can be used for pirates. Certainly we will not use (a Spike-ER) missile to destroy (a) small banca na nakaboard na Abu Sayyaf, but we can use the .50 caliber machine gun, (it's the MPAC) secondary capability. Automated siya, (and) kahit maalon we can hit the target very accurate(ly)," he added.

When it comes to using the expensive Spike-ER missiles, Empedrad said that they have a doctrine to refer to when its comes to the use of the weapon.

"For the missile, we have a doctrine (to follow) when to fire the missile because it’s (worth) PHP10 million. Alangan naman iputok namin sa isang bangka ang PHP10 million na missile. so lugi tayo diyan (Of course, we won't fire on a boat a missile that is worth 10 million. It's uneconomical)," he added. http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1054600

The Department of National Defense (DND) and ARMSCOR Global Defense Incorporated have signed a contract for the manufacture of 50,000 .45 caliber high-capacity pistols for the use of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

In a statement Wednesday, DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the contract was formally signed by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and ARMSCOR president and chief executive officer, Martin Tuason, to start production of the weapons.

He added that this collaboration between the DND and ARMSCOR is in line with the DND's efforts towards “witnessing a Rebirth of Defense Self-Reliance.”

"This initiative of optimizing our local resources contributes to the development of our economic and labor industries by providing jobs for Filipinos and contributing to economic growth - positive effects that far outweigh DND’s spending in importation. The SND (Secretary of National Defense) also stated that 'it signifies a trust in our own country’s craftsmanship and expertise'," Andolong stressed.

Meanwhile, Tuason, in his speech, emphasized his support for the defense sector.

“I look forward to making more guns, more ammunition and more products that we can do here in the Philippines as we progress. ARMSCOR backs the Filipino people and we support the AFP,” he added. Both parties believe that this partnership will set the standard for future projects of the government in procuring local materials.

"Based on our matrix, dapat magkaroon tayo ng (we should have) 42 of these type of vessels, (the) MPACs. (We only have) nine, (with another) three coming over next year with the same missile capability. So kung sabay-sabay gumalaw yan (If these ships will operate simultaneously), when we are under siege, I think this will do harm to any threat whether internal or external," Empedrad said during the press conference aboard the strategic sealift vessel BRP Davao Del Sur.

MPACs are high-speed naval craft capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots and can be utilized for a variety of naval missions like patrol and fire support missions for troops. It can also be armed with machine guns, missiles and a variety of other weapons.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Spike-ER missile system acquisition will be followed by big-ticket items like frigates and corvettes, which will also be armed with missiles.

He added that the Spike-ER acquisition is an indication that the PN is now being upgraded and modernized to be at par with its neighbors.

The first test-firing of the Spike-ER missile took place last Aug. 9 in the same location.

The weapon was fired from one of the PN's three Spike-ER armed MPACs. The MPACs were constructed by the Subic-based Propmech Corporation and activated on May 22, 2017.

The PN MPAC Acquisition Project entered into a contract with Rafael, through SIBAT of Israel Ministry of Defense, for the supply and integration of the weapons systems to three Mark III MPACs. On April 15, 2017, Lorenzana approved the Notice to Proceed.

The Spike-ER system, which arrived in the country last April, is the PN's first missile weapon capable of penetrating 1,000-mm (39 inches) of rolled homogeneous armor and has a range of eight kilometers.

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday berated Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chair Jose Maria "Joma" Sison for his insulting comments against the military and the police, whom he accused of being behind the cancellation of his representatives' visit to Manila.

"In his recent statement, Mr. Joma Sison said that 'threats have been made by the armed minions of (President Rodrigo) Duterte against Luis Jalandoni and Coni Ledesma. They have therefore decided not to go to Manila.' Mr. Sison is trying his damnedest best to have his subalterns meet with the President and yet, at the same time, throws an insulting remark. This shows his lack of respect for the President," he added.

Also, the term "minion", which Sison used to disparage the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police is insulting as it is a term of contempt.

"It means a servile, fawning, and an unimportant person who is at the beck and call of a powerful person. This is a great insult to our police and military officers and personnel who are doing their jobs with utmost dedication and professionalism in serving the Filipino people," the DND chief added.

Lorenzana also views the remark as an insult to President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Mr. Sison’s insult will only make the police and military dig in and oppose any overtures of peace talks from the National Democratic Front. It is so typical of Mr. Sison to always put the blame on the government for a decision only they themselves made," he added.

The DND chief also emphasized that Jalandoni and Ledesma's refusal to return to the Philippines is not a loss to the government.

"After all, it is not the government that is desperate to resume peace talks with the NDF (National Democratic Front). It is also not to government that is losing a large number of fighters because of the effectiveness of the localized peace talks and the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP)," he added.

Lorenzana stressed that E-CLIP has reaped successes in just four months since its implementation through the convergence of assistance from national and local government agencies working together under the banner of Task Force "Balik-Loob".

"Ang higit na mahalaga sa amin ay ang pagbabalik sa lipunan ng mga natitira pang miyembro ng CPP-NPA at Militia ng Bayan, lalo na ngayong Pasko, upang mamuhay nang mapayapa at maligaya sa piling ng kanilang minamahal na pamilya (What is important to us are the return of the remaining CPP-NPA members to the fold of law, especially this Christmas, for them to be able to live a peaceful and happy life with their families)," the DND chief added. http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1054609

Lorenzana emphasized that they are still looking at, and studying the offers to determine which is the best one for the country.

The DND chief also stressed that it is high time for the Philippines to acquire submarines as it is the only country in ASEAN, aside from landlocked countries in the region, which do not operate the specialized submersible watercraft.

He, however, admitted that submarines are expensive pieces of equipment that require infrastructures like basing and intense training for the crew to become truly effective.

"Submarines are a very expensive equipment (to maintain and operate), lahat ng mga bansa diyan sinasabi na mahal, very expensive (all countries operating such craft say that they are expensive) and bago ka makabili ng submarines (before you can buy) submarines, (you must think first about building a base to house them) and you also have to train people," Lorenzana added.

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 22): Army initiates peace forum in Maguindanao

PEACE FORUM. Major General Cirilito Sobejana, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, discusses the peace efforts and updates in the province of Maguindanao on Wednesday (Nov. 21, 2018) together with mayors from the province’s second district. (Photo by 6th ID)
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- Military and local officials belonging to Maguindanao province's second congressional district gathered in Shariff Aguak town on Wednesday to discuss peace and security updates in the area.

Initiated by the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, topics discussed during the gathering include the government's ongoing fight against violent extremism, the campaign against illegal drugs, and election-related issues.

“The nefarious activities of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and family feuds still tops the problems besetting the second district of the province,” said Maj. Arvin John Encinas, the Army’s 6th ID spokesperson.The BIFF mainly operates in the province’s second district, where the 220,000-hectare Liguasan Marsh serves as the terror group’s jump-off and extraction point.“We need the continued cooperation of the mayors to neutralize the BIFF and contain other problems,” Encinas said, adding that a recently inked joint security plan by the military and police in the province has been introduced to the mayors.

Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, 6ID commander, facilitated the forum that tackled the peace and development programs of the Duterte administration.

“We should stand as one in countering the current threats faced by the province, and we can only do it if we work together,” Sobejana told local officials.

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 22): PRO-12 stands by cops who killed 2 'ISIS-linked' men

The vehicle allegedly used by suspected Islamic State-linked individuals Badrudin Ibrahim Singgon and Kokoy Datumanong following a shootout with policemen in Tacurong City last Nov. 19, 2018. (Photo by PRO-12)
COTABATO CITY -- The Police Region Office-12 (PRO-12) has stood by its report that two of the four men killed in a shootout in Tacurong City had links to Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Supt. Aldrin Gonzales, PRO-12 spokesperson, maintained that Badrudin Ibrahim Singgon and Kokoy Datumanong were ISIS gunmen based on the pieces of evidence recovered following Monday's shootout that killed the two.

Singgon, 34, and Datumanong, 30, were local government employees of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

“Based on reports, black ISIS flag, improvised bombs, and pistols were found in the vehicle where two gunmen traded shots with lawmen,” Gonzales said, referring to the two men.

PRO-12 defended the operation following suspicions that aside from the two men, the police were also involved in the deaths of Buhari Edsla Uday, 26, and Datu Punto Ampatuan, 48.

The two, also employees of the Shariff Aguak town government, were found dead on a roadside in Barangay San Vicente, Banga, South Cotabato, at 8 a.m. Monday, some 30 kilometers away from Tacurong City.

Anwar Emblawa, Shariff Aguak municipal administrative officer, said Singgon, Datumanong, Uday and Ampatuan were last seen together leaving Shariff Aguak going to South Cotabato province around noontime last Sunday (November 18).

“The four, however, were separately found dead in pairs Monday (Nov. 19) in Tacurong City and Banga town. How could that be?” Emblawa said.

“We believe that two were killed in an alleged police set-up operation in Tacurong while the two others were summarily executed and dumped in South Cotabato,” added Emblawa, a close relative of Singgon.

Emblawa said the families of the four employees denied they were members of any lawless group and have called on the police for a deeper investigation into their "mysterious" deaths.

He pointed out that both Uday and Ampatuan bore headshot wounds at the back of their heads.

“They were shot at close range,” Emblawa said.

Still, Gonzales defended the operation that killed Singgon and Datumanong which he described as "legitimate." He said police are still looking into the deaths of the two other men -- Uday and Ampatuan.

Gonzales also dared the relatives to file charges if they believed there were irregularities in the police operation.

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 22): AFP, police see no need to revive ‘Alsa Masa’

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Police Regional Office in Region 11 (PRO-11) do not see the need to revive the “Alsa Masa”--a movement formed to counter the New People’s Army’s (NPA) hit squads in Davao Region in the 1980s.

Lt. General Benjamin Madrigal, Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) commander, said the current situation is different from the early 80s when NPA hit squads waged a bloody campaign to purge its members and engaged in the killing of law enforcers.

Madrigal brushed aside speculations that the Community Mobilization Project (CMP) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is a revival of the "Alsa Masa".

He said that under the program, the community is organized not only for security reasons but to address community issues.

Madrigal said various communities in the region, specially in Compostela Valley province, have even organized themselves voluntarily to improve peace and order in their areas.

“Hindi katulad noon na (unlike before when) everybody is holding a gun. Now, only those people who are authorized can carry a gun,” Madrigal said. “It’s a non-violent Alsa Masa.”

Police Superintendent Nolasco Bathan, PRO-11 deputy director, said the "Alsa Masa" in Davao may be successful in the past but the PNP’s CMP has a different concept.

Bathan, who has served the Calabarzon area before his Davao assignment, said CMP is a mobilization of a group formed in the community. The CMP has been implemented in Calabarzon for years now as a police and community partnership, he said.

Community members, he said, craft their own program, and monitor or report to authorities those who are involved in criminality or the illicit drug trade.

The alleged ISIS-linked terrorist group member killed in a gun buy-bust in Ormoc City Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. (Contributed photo by Don Leandrew Tiu)

A suspected member of a terrorist group linked to Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and engaged in gun-running was killed in a gun buy-bust operation in Ormoc City Thursday morning.

The Philippine Army's 802nd Infantry Brigade identified the slain alleged terrorist as Joseph “Dawud” Anulga, Jr., a member of Dawlah Islamiyah affiliated with ISIS.Anulga was shot dead after resisting apprehension during a buy-bust operation in Airport village in Ormoc City conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Philippine Army in connection with his gun-running activities.

“Dawud is an Islamic convert and already pledged allegiance to Daesh and its recognized caliph, Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi,” the Army said in a statement. "Daesh" is often used by ISIS’ Arabic-speaking detractors.

Brigadier General Lope Dagoy, 802nd brigade commander reported that Anulga was set to join the local terrorist groups in Mindanao and intended to die as a martyr of Islam. He was reported by residents of Ormoc City to the authorities for persuading locals to convert to Islam.

“Anulga’s death shows the government’s conviction in protecting the people from these lawless elements. This is a clear message that your military and police will not allow neither tolerate terror groups in our midst,” Dagoy said.

Anulga is a direct associate of the late Yusuf Macuto, who was involved in a foiled plot to bomb the US Embassy in November 2016 and the main suspect in the Hilongos, Leyte bombing on Dec. 28, 2016 that wounded 35 people.

He said the operation was successful without any casualty from the government troops. The Armed Forces of the Philippines has yet to determine whether the enemy side suffered casualties.

The recovered war materials are in the custody of the 54IB for safekeeping, while more troops were sent to track the rebels.

Somera relayed the report of 54IB commander Lt. Col. Narciso Nabulneg Jr. that the camp was discovered based on information from the community.

“The operation was launched through the information given by the civilians in the area, wherein the NPAs were busy extorting goods and foodstuff from the masses in preparation for their grand activity next month. This scheme irates the masses, who hardly meet their everyday needs,” Nabulneg said in his report to the 5ID.

Somera said 5ID commander MGen. Perfecto Rimando Jr. credited the success of the operations to the overwhelming support given by the masses to the soldiers.

“In due time, we will reward those people behind the seizure of the CNT (CPP-NPA-Terrorists) camp and the recovery of war materiel. We owe everything to the people, who provided the information to our operating troops,” Rimando said.

Somera reiterated Rimando’s encouragement to the rebels that the government continues to offer the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to those who are still on the mountains to abandon the armed struggle and live normal lives with their families.

“We will continue our mandate to protect the rights of the people against the CNTs, as we also give second chances to those who wish to yield to the fold of the law,” Rimando added.

On the same day, four members of the NPA surrendered to the same unit.

“Ka Iyong,” who serves as squad leader of Squad Uno of the Nona del Rosario Command and “Ka Cindy,” a teenager, who belongs to the same group, surrendered to the operating troops.

“Ka Rambo” and “Ka Hadji” surrendered to the 54IB at their camp in Kiangan, Ifugao after the successful operation to overrun the NPA camp.

They surrendered two hand grenades, one rifle grenade, two long and three short magazines with 66 ammunition, one M16 rifle, and one Garand rifle.

Brigadier General Leopoldo Imbang Jr., commander of the 503 Infantry Brigade, commended the troops of the 54IB for their professionalism in carrying out their mission.

“I commend the officers and men of 54IB behind the success of the operations leading to the seizure of the NPA camp, surrender of four NPA rebels and the recovery of war materiel. We hope that peace will soon be achieved in that area with the neutralization of the communist terrorists,” Imbang said.

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Nov 20): Resist China efforts to impose imperialist power on the Philippines

The November 20-21 visit of China President Xi Jinping form part of the overall effort of China to impose its dominance in the Philippines. Like the US imperialists, China conceals its imperialist aims with such ideals as “enhancing dialogue” and “all-round cooperation.” In fact, China is pushing its imperialist weight and imposing its power on the country.

As an imperialist power, China considers the Philippines as strategically important under its geo-political design and overall economic aims. China aims to weaken US hegemonic control of the Philippines amid rising inter-imperialist trade wars, saber-rattling and preparations for war.

China accelerates economic colonialism of Philippines

China seeks to overwhelm the Philippine economy with its excess capital, make it dependent on Chinese loans and grants, impose neoliberal economic policies, plunder and exploit the country’s labor and natural resources, control the key aspects of the economy, and lock the Philippines in a perennial state of exporting cheap and low value-added raw and semi-processed goods and importing capital goods and consumer commodities.

Having been at the center of the imperialist global value chain, China has long become the top destination of Philippine exports of raw materials and semi-manufactures and has become the primary source of the country’s imports.

Over the past two years, China has moved more quickly to further strengthen its economic presence in the country. Its official development assistance has shot up to $63.5 million last year from $1.5 million in 2016. Foreign direct investments from China grew at a faster rate reaching $1.043 billion in the first two years under Duterte, close to 85% of its total FDI over six years under the previous Aquino regime ($1.231 billion) and more than that ($825 million) under Arroyo’s nine-year reign.

China seeks to accelerate its economic domination of the Philippines by investing in large infrastructure projects in order to mobilize its idle capital and provide a market for its surplus steel and cement. It has enticed Duterte with promises to spend $15 billion in dams, roads, bridges, sea ports and railway projects and provide loans of up to $9 billion in the next few years.

These promises of fund infusion, however, remain largely unfulfilled. But bureaucrat capitalists are drooling over the potential kickbacks to be pocketed in the form of so-called “discoverer’s fees”. The big bourgeois compradors and Duterte dummy capitalists eagerly await the partnership with Chinese corporations to make large profits in state-guaranteed projects.

China’s military bases in the Spratlys
China’s pledge of economic investments were made after Duterte submitted to China’s claims of sovereignty over the Spratly islands and other formations in the South China Sea which are within the Philippine’s exclusive economic zone and extended continental shelf. Duterte threw out the ruling of the International Tribunal on the Law of the Seas which recognized Philippine sovereignty over these islands and did not let out any whimper of protest amid China’s frenzied land reclamation which destroyed the rich eco-system to pave the way for the construction of military bases in the area.

Xi Jinping’s statement to make the South China Sea a “sea of peace, friendship and cooperation” is utterly hypocritical after having already trampled on Philippine territorial sovereignty and planted its boots on Philippine soil. China now operates a 10,000-foot runway, docks, radar stations and other facilities in the Spratlys to serve as forward base for its growing fleet of naval and air forces and as a military outpost against US military presence and threats to encircle the China mainland.

Sell-out to China
In exchange for a few billion dollars of promised aid and loans, Duterte is set on selling-out vast Philippine resources in the South China Sea through the planned “joint exploration” of the Recto Bank and other areas which will give China access to what it estimates to be a $60 trillion worth of oil reserves, gas, rare earth and other minerals.
The contract for this is being kept under wraps fearing legal counter-action by oppositors as the 1987 constitution provides that such undertakings is within the exclusive right of the State. Duterte insists that “cooperation” with China will lead to “co-ownership.” For its part, China has declared that any such undertaking in the South China Sea should be presupposed on recognition of Chinese sovereignty over these areas.

This planned “joint exploration” is similar to the anomalous and unequal 2005 Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) agreement between the PNOC, the China National Offshore Oil Company and the Vietnam Oil and Gas Corp. which covered more than 140,000 square kilometers in the Recto Bank and South China Sea. The Arroyo regime signed the JMSU in exchange for Chinese funding for the Northrail project, the NBN-ZTE Broadband deal and other promised loans and investments. The JSMU was completed in 2007 but the findings are being kept by China.

Recently, after going through a sham of a bidding process, the Duterte government has granted contracts for the operation of a telecommunication company to the state-owned China Telco in partnership with Duterte front-man Dennis Uy. This would give China control of a crucial economic infrastructure. This will be in addition to China’s control of a key component of the Philippine power industry through co-ownership of the National Grid Corporation by the State Grid Corporation of China.

Duterte and Xi Jinping: Submission, not friendship
Duterte’s relationship towards China is being described as “friendly.” This is a completely false description. “Friendship” denotes equality and mutuality. Duterte does not behave, nor is treated as an equal. He is being excessively servile, playing the vassal to the Chinese overlord. It is with utter submission and kowtowing that he declared to China ahead of Xi Jinping’s visit that: “So you’re there, you’re in possession, you occupied it. Then tell us what route shall we take and what kind of behavior.”

China as an imperialist power
China has risen as an imperialist power with the state monopoly bourgeoisie and finance capitalists at the helm, exporting capital, aligning other imperialist powers against the US, spending more on building its military machine, deploying troops in the South China Sea, east Africa and elsewhere to secure its trade routes and carve out its own spheres of influence and fields of investment.

Economically, China is the biggest imperialist rival of the US. Militarily, China still lags behind the US in terms of spending, nuclear arsenal, arms production, deployment of air craft carriers and overseas troops and other parameters. Its alliance with Russia and India in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, however, poses a formidable military challenge.

China’s strategy is to make use of its economic dominance to pave the way for military and political dominance in order to push the balance of power in the Pacific to its favor. It is vigorously pushing for multilateral economic and trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Cooperation to further liberalize the backward economies and allow it to become the undisputed economic power in the Asia-Pacific. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, it is constructing a vast network of roads, bridges and ports to build a trade route to Europe and Africa, using the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to flood the backward countries with loans and investments. China has already seized control of key assets of some countries which failed to pay their loans.

Perpetuation of Philippine economic backwardness

By applying the same method of economic colonialism on the Philippines, China will merely perpetuate the backward, agrarian and non-industrial economy of the Philippines which has long been dominated by the US and Japan monopoly-capitalists. Philippine addiction to China loans will make it a debt slave of China, in addition to being dependent on loans and grants from IMF-WB, the ADB, the Japan ExIm Bank and other creditors.

Until now, the Philippines remains a semicolony and military stronghold of the US imperialists, with which China is now locked in an intensifying trade war and challenging US economic, political and military domination.

Although fast catching-up, China still trails behind the US and Japan in terms of investments and loans to the Philippines. In the field of portfolio investments or infusion into the Philippine stock market and other financial instruments, the US remains the top source of capital with 43% share compared to China’s share of 6%.
Economic policies, such as the imposition of the TRAIN law, continue to be influenced primarily by the IMF, US-controlled credit rating agencies and such groups as the Partnership for Growth.

Duterte’s double-sided betrayal
By selling-out to China while being subservient to the US, the Duterte regime is committing a double-sided betrayal of Philippine national sovereignty. On the one hand, Duterte has kept silent while China built military bases and is selling-out Philippine; on the other hand, he has allowed the Philippines to be used as a US springboard for building up their military presence in the South China Sea.

Duterte’s failure to uphold Philippine sovereignty has raised the possibility of armed hostilities within Philippine territorial seas and is now leading the country right into the middle of an inter-imperialist conflict to the detriment of the Filipino people.

Resist China imperialist domination!
The Filipino people must resist China’s efforts to impose its imperialist power on the Philippines, economically, politically and militarily.

They must oppose the anti-people infrastructure projects which are set to railroad on the people’s livelihood, take away their ancestral lands, despoil the environment, fatten the bureaucrat capitalist, favor Duterte’s favorite big capitalists, and give China control of key resources, public utilities and services.

They must oppose the onerous and high-interest loans from China. They must oppose the high-level wheeling and dealing between bureaucrat capitalist Duterte regime and China’s big state monopoly bourgeoisie.

The Filipino people must demand the immediate dismantling of Chinese military bases in the Spratlys, an end to the interdiction of Filipino fishermen in the Panatag Shoal and Chinese recognition of Philippine territories under the UNCLOS.

Fight for national sovereignty!
The Filipino people must demand an end to US and China militarization of the South China Sea and demand all countries to withdraw their military forces in the area. They must pursue a policy of active peace and non-alignment and build unity among people to demand an end to the US-China saber-rattling.

To achieve peace in the region, the Filipino people must vigorously demand genuine Philippine non-alignment by scrapping such unequal military treaties as the Mutual Defense Treaty, the Visiting Forces Agreement and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). They must demand an end to US war exercises in the country and the military use of Philippine docks and airports by the US military.

They must advance the cause of economic sovereignty where the use of the country’s resources must help build-up agricultural and industrial self-reliance and raise capacity to produce food and other necessities of the people and accumulate surplus to bring the economy to higher levels, on the basis of which it can develop equal trade relations and economic cooperation with other countries.

The Filipino people’s struggle for national sovereignty and economic freedom are tightly intertwined. Their continuing aspiration compel them to resist imperialist domination by China and the US.

Fidel Agcaoili propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front (NDF) Website (Nov 21): Setting the Record Straight on Our Aborted Trip to the Philippines

Fidel V. Agcaoili Press Statement November 20, 2018

I wish to set the record straight regarding our aborted trip to the Philippines scheduled last November 18, 2018.

1. On October 10, 2018, Ms. Coni Ledesma and I decided to go to the Philippines in connection with our work as members of the NDFP section in the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). We would be accompanied by Mr. Luis Jalandoni, senior adviser of the NDFP Panel. We scheduled the trip in mid-November and informed Ms. Idun Tvedt, the Special Envoy of the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG) to the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations.

2. On October 19, we received an invitation from the RNG Embassy in Manila to meet with the new RNG Ambassador and his staff. The courtesy call was set on November 20 at 2 pm at the Embassy.

3. On November 7, it was suggested that we meet also with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte while in Manila, considering that more than three months have passed since the GRP postponed the scheduled resumption of formal talks in Oslo, Norway, on June 28, 2018. We welcomed the suggestion and asked a mutual friend to help facilitate the appointment. On November 13, an official appointment with the President was set on November 23 for me and four others.

4. On November 14, I received a message from Presidential Spokesman and Chief Legal Counsel Sec. Salvador Panelo asking for preparatory meetings with us, together with Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Sec. Jesus Dureza, before the appointment with the President on November 23. We agreed to the meetings taking into account our scheduled arrival in the country on the evening of November 19 and our appointment with the Norwegian Ambassador in the afternoon of November 20.

5. On November 16, DILG Sec. Eduardo Ano issued a statement that we would be arrested upon our arrival unless the President says otherwise. At around the same time on the same day, President Duterte said in Papua New Guinea that he was not yet prepared to resume talks with the revolutionary movement. As a consequence, we decided the following day to forego with the trip of Mr. Jalandoni and Ms. Ledesma whose names are in the so-called proscription case against the CPP and NPA.

6. On November 18, I was told that the appointment with the President had been cancelled and that I would only be meeting with Sec. Panelo and Sec. Dureza but that such a meeting might not prove useful without a new perspective. As a consequence, we decided that I also forego with my trip scheduled for that evening for security consideration.

For the record, too, my name and that of Mr. Asterio Palima, as publicly known members of the NDFP Negotiating Panel, are not included in the list of 600 in the above-mentioned proscription case against the CPP and NPA. As far as I know, too, I have no outstanding case in any GRP courts.

It is not only the interest charge of 2% to 6% that makes Chinese loans for infrastructure projects ultimately too burdensome and unrepayable. More importantly, it is the overpricing of the various parts and aspects of these projects that make these loans unrepayable.

The Chinese construction companies can at will overprice everything: the designs, the engineering services, the use of equipment, the supply of construction materials, the contracting of Chinese labor and so on. The overpricing carries the much bigger hidden interest on the loans. The huge overprice allows payoffs to regime officials and translates into unrepayable amortization of principal and interest payment.

What the Chinese imperialists practise is similar to the swindle that Soviet social imperialism used to impose on socialist China in the latter half of the 1950s. There was token or no interest at all charged on projects undertaken by the Soviet Union in China but the overprice made bigger profit than any open interest rate.

In contracts with Chinese banks and construction companies, there are provisions for the conversion of unpaid debts to Chinese equity as well as takeover of structures that the Chinese companies have built. These are well exposed in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives, Kenya and elsewhere. Mahatir Mohamad, Malaysian prime minister, has publicly warned against the loan shark operations of China.

Always hungry for natural resources to feed its industries, China is also notorious for holding as collateral the natural resources of its debt-enslaved client-states. Thus it has required the Duterte regime to become an open traitor by practically exchanging Philippine sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea and an estimated USD 60 trillion worth of oil, gas and other resources in lopsided exchange for the few billions of dollars worth of high interest loans for overpriced infrastructure projects.

By allowing China to be a partner and co-owner of joint undertakings to explore and exploit the energy resources in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines is made to fall silent on and give up its sovereign rights and allow Chinese corporations to explore and exploit oil, gas and other resources, with Chinese corporations monopolizing the findings of explorations and the accounting of costs and outcomes in exploration and exploitation.

Under the traitorous and stupid Duterte regime, the Philippines submits to China’s requirement of giving up sovereign rights and natural patrimony not only by falling for a swindling debt trap but also simultaneously by accepting legal and political provisions that economic and trade and loan agreements are to be governed by and construed in accordance with Chinese laws and that any dispute with the Philippines on the terms of contracts is to be settled through arbitration by the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission. These provisions overrule any Philippine silence or equivocation about the sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.

The Chinese debt trap will be sufficient to convert the Philippines into a Chinese debt colony. But the accumulated Philippine debt from its traditional bilateral and multilateral creditors (US, Japan, World Bank, IMF and so on) will automatically increase as a result of the quantitative tightening (increased interest rate) already initiated by the US Federal Bank to counter the excessive US public debt incurred during the period of quantitative easing (low interest regime).

The only reason that Duterte and his cronies are jumping into the Chinese debt trap and the current treasonous act of surrendering sovereign rights and national patrimony to China is because they privately gain from contract shares and finder’s fees and they have apparently already received payoffs in advance in the form of the loans and accommodations already granted by Chinese banks and companies to Dennis Uy, Duterte’s front-man and bagman.https://www.ndfp.org/how-chinese-loans-become-unrepayable/

The revolutionary forces and the entire Filipino people are aware that there is a significant number of patriotic officers and personnel in the AFP and PNP who are offended and discontented by the Duterte regime over certain major issues that include the following:

1. The violation of professional standards due to Duterte’s personal favoritism in promoting and rewarding officers whom he has befriended since his mayorship in Davao City and who follow his illegal orders at the expense of far more senior and more qualified officers.

2. Duterte’s systematic efforts to practically convert the AFP and PNP into his private army and ensure personal loyalty of these favored officers by making them criminal accomplices in extrajudicial killings and privately pocketing intelligence and operational funds under various pretexts in Oplan Kapayapaan ang Oplan Tokhang.

3. Duterte’s treasonous sell-out of Philippine sovereign rights and national patrimony in the West Philippine Sea, thus giving away the trillions of US dollars worth of oil, gas and other resources, putting the Philippines into the Chinese debt trap and allowing the Chinese to build artificial islands and militarize these, hampering Philippine air and naval posts and patrols and preventing Filipino fishermen from fishing in these waters.

4. Unnecessarily bombing and destroying Marawi City instead of resorting to negotiations; terminating the peace negotiations with the NDFP; overconcentrating and wearing out most of the AFP forces in Mindanao under the cover of martial law, launching mostly blind offensives against the Filipino and Bangsamoro forces and thus providing further reasons and conditions for these forces to intensify their armed resistance.

5. Preparing AFP and PNP for martial law nationwide in order to manipulate the results of the May 2019 elections in favor of pro-Duterte candidates and push chacha for autocratic rule under the guise of federalism, thus sustaining the widespread public perception that the AFP and PNP are the enemy of democracy and the people.

In accordance with its broad united policy, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines takes cognizance of these issues against the Duterte regime within the AFP and PNP and expresses sympathy and support to the patriotic and democratic-minded officers and personnel who reject and oppose the tyrannical, treasonous and corrupt rule of Duterte.

Under the 1987 Constitution of their own government, it is their duty to defend national sovereignty and the people and withdraw their support from the Duterte regime as their predecessors did in 1986 and 2001 against the Marcos and Estrada regimes. The revolutionary forces of the people salute them as they seek and strive to perform their constitutional mandate.

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Nov 19): Iqbal gave lecture on BOL in the National Self Help Approach Forum 2018

Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao – Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Peace Implementing Panel Chairman Mohagher Iqbal gave lecture on the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in the National Self Help Approach Forum 2018 held at AJ Hi - Time Hotel, Kidapawan City on November 11, 2018.

He tackled the salient provisions of the BOL, its implications, opportunities and its challenges.

Iqbal highlighted the provisions of BOL that answer the women and gender issues including the youth and an opportunity of having a reserve seat in the Bangsamoro Parliament so that their voices will be heard.

During the open forum, Iqbal further clarified many issues such as peace and security, religious freedom and fund allotment for gender issues as provided by the Bangsamoro law.

The National Self Help Approach (SHA) Forum is a collaboration of 24 partners of KNH (KindernotHilfe) organization addressing gender and children issues.

"Kindernothilfe" is a German word for "supporting children in need" that has grown dramatically since 1959 and their work reached almost 1.9 million children and youth in 697 projects in 33 countries in four continents.

At present, KNH supports around 7,000 children through collaboration with 24 partners in the Philippines with 17 local partners supporting 957 self-help groups.

The participants of the activity were more or less 35 different heads and financial officers of KNH local partners nationwide.

The partner organizations who attended the said activity were Child Protection Network and ACF from the National Capital Region, LASAC, ICEOFI, Stairway Foundation, Simon of Cyrene, Bicol Center for Community Development and Caritas – Masbate from Luzon.

For the very first time, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim set foot on Monday (Nov 19, 2018) in Camp Aguinaldo—the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), stressing that the visit manifests the strong partnership between the two institutions.

“This visit is a concrete manifestation, not only of the solid partnership of our institutions, but a testament of an enduring personal friendship built upon the solid foundation of our mutual commitment to work for peace and see through the dawn of day not just for the Bangsamoro but for this country as well,” Murad said in his speech.

“More than four decades ago, I walked out of university without completing my engineering degree. Many Bangsamoro colleagues did the same. Since then, I have avoided military installations and camps. During those times of war, I have thought only of destroying or neutralizing military camps,” he revealed.

The MILF chair added, “I never imagined during those dark days that I will, one day, step inside a military camp and be feted with this honor of what used to be our adversary.”

“Today, I am truly honored to join our partners in peace, from the highest leadership of the AFP, down to the lowest ranking elements of this institution to reciprocate the visit of your Chief-of-Staff, General Carlito Galvez, Jr. when he visited Camp Darapanan last October 6, 2018,” Chairman Murad said.

During his visit to the MILF headquarter, Galvez declared the “war between the AFP and MILF is over.”

“I was much honored when around 6,000 men and women of the MILF lined the five kilometer road in Sultan Kudarat to welcome us,” Galvez said.

He added, “I welcome MILF chair Murad and his party to our headquarters. This reciprocal visit of Chair Murad signifies the strong trust and confidence of the MILF leadership on the Armed forces and the national government.”

Chairman Murad, however, clarified that the MILF never considered the AFP or any soldier as their enemy. “What we have considered as enemy is the oppression and injustice,” he emphasized.

“This is the teaching of Islam and this is what we have always adhered to in the Code of Conduct of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF),” he said.

The MILF chief further related, “In pursuit, however, of our struggle for the right to self-determination of our people, we saw then the AFP as the instrument of the injustices committed against our people such as the loss of our homeland, discrimination and prejudices, massacres, as well as the denial of our freedom to practice our religion.”

Chairman Murad said those were very true during the martial law years under the regime of the late President Marcos.

He further recalled, “The resort to an armed struggle was a last and difficult option from what we view then was a genocidal war being pursued by the Marcos regime against our people.”

Chairman Murad, however, said they have noticed the start of transformation of the AFP during the 1986 EDSA Revolution where the military refused to heed the order to kill or maim the people it has sworn to defend and protect.

“From this early sign, you have slowly trodden the path of justice and professionalism despite the many challenges. Like many organizations, you have had your fair share of successes and failures,” he said.

The MILF chief related how the values of “integrity, loyalty, professionalism and service to the people,” equally shared by the two institutions, defeated the looming bigger armed conflict after the Mamasapano incident when the leadership of the AFP refused to be drawn into a full scale war with the Front.

Chairman Murad said the last hurdle of the peace process is the forthcoming plebiscite by January 21, 2019 which presents both an opportunity and challenge.

“There are many challenges that lies ahead in this process and the road is fraught with great danger, however, we will persevere and hopefully surmount all of them,” he pointed out.

“From the ashes of war, let us build together a prosperous and peaceful Bangsamoro because a peaceful Bangsamoro will usher in a progressive Philippines,” Chairman Murad said.

The MILF chief closed his message thanking President Rodrigo Duterte for pushing forward the attainment of peace in the Bangsamoro.

The entire Bangsamoro has shaken up when the sad news about the death of the former Bangsamoro Grand Mufti and one of the Pillars of our Jihad broke out yesterday.

Sheikh Omar Pasigan has returned to the mercy of our Creator early morning of Monday, November 20, 2018. The news of his passing away drew up mixed emotions and sympathy over social media.

People from the different walk of lives and most colleagues from Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and religious groups have extended their condolences to bereaved families of the also the founding President of first and largest Islamic Institute in the province of Maguindanao, the Ma’had Kutawato Al-Islamic. He was also known to many as among of the Muslim scholars who finished his degree in the middle east later on help initiates and carved the formation of Bangsamoro struggle for Right to Self Determination (RSD).

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Moro Islamic Front (MILF), through its chairman Alhadj Murad Ebrahim has released his message of Sympathy to the family of the late Grand Mufti.

“We also we send our sympathies to everyone in the grief of this great loss to all”, he added. The MILF chairman also cited prayers for the former grand mufti’s highest position in paradise.

Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the MILF peace implementing panel, also expressed deep sorrow over the demise of one of the founders of the MILF.

“His is a great loss to the MILF and to our people in general, and is irreplaceable,” Iqbal added.

Iqbal revealed that the greatest asset of the departed aleem (learned in Islam) and leader is his ability to talk to any leader of the Bangsamoro including those in the MILF straight in the eye without hesitation.

To help the “Yes” vote wins in the forthcoming plebiscite that will ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), a Non-Governmental Organization and the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) intensify their campaign on Saturday (Nov 17) at Radjah Buayan town in Maguindanao Province.
“We vote yes for BOL for all means because this is the extension of our Jihad Fi Sabilillah (Struggle in the way of Allah) even if the Bangsamoro Basic Law will find NO votes during the plebiscite this coming 21st of January,” Saifullah “Gordon” Khan, BIAF-Central Mindanao Front Commander emphasized to the audiences.

The advocacy on BOL or known as Republic Act 11054 was spearheaded by the Action and Consolidated Cooperations, Inc. (ACCI) based in Maguindanao in coordination with the 2nd Battalion, 9th Brigade, Expeditionary Mission, Inner Guard Based Command (IGBC), National Guard, BIAF-MILF, under the command of Badz Ebrahim through the supervisory of Task Force Ittihad – IGBC Lhems Kalon.

TFI Supervisor Kalon urged the audience particularly those who are in uniform to be vigilant in taking care of votes for YES this coming plebiscite by January 21, 2019.

He related that he already informed the members of BIAF in his Area of Responsibility that “the final justification in the political struggle of the Bangsamoro is the ratification of the BOL by majority ‘Yes’ vote in the plebiscite.

In his message of support, Hajji Abdulrahman Mamo, the GS-TFI Unit Commander of 2nd BN of 9th Brigade Expedition, he pledged from his commitment to have zero vote for NO on his area of responsibility.

Hajji Noor Pamatong also conveyed his support to the leadership of the MILF. He compared the decommissioning processes by other international agreements to the current implementation of the signed agreement between the government and the MILF.

Mr. Nas Pulindao of the Committee on Information discussed some salient provisions of Bangsamoro Organic Law.

He explained the fiscal and political autonomy of BOL and how the Bangsamoro people will benefit on it. He further discussed the essence of the parliamentary system of governance and he compared it to the current unitary system of the Philippine government.

Pulindao also tackled the implementation of Shari’ah Law in the Bangsamoro which is applicable only to the Muslims.

The resource person also highlighted the historical injustices committed against Bangsamoro and pointed out that the struggle of Bangsamoro for the establishment of a political entity is recognized in the BOL.

During the open forum, the participants asked how the “Yes” vote will be secured in the plebiscite.

The participants are coming from the sectors of women, political committee of MILF, LGU, traditional leaders and professionals that were from near barangays of Tabungaw, Radjah Buayan, Maguindanao.

The secretariat reported that there were more than 700 individuals who attended the event.

The first day of the activity featured lectures on the Sail Plan Management System and Alignment, the Balanced Scorecard, Implementation of Focus Portfolio of Initiatives, and the Individual Balanced Scorecard while the second day is composed of Plenary Discussion and Workshop.

To ensure that everyone is onboard the Navy’s pursuit for genuine transformation, the Philippine Navy annually conducts the Sail Plan Cascading to enhance the alignment of accomplishments of all PN Units to the Headquarters Level and ensure the proper implementation of the strategy. NPAO / MCAG

“BUDO was involved in harassment of Pantar Detachment in June 2017 during the height of Marawi Siege as diversion while the bulk of the Maute/ISIS terrorist is fighting in the main battle area,” said Villanueva.